Cases of coronavirus in Hertfordshire have risen to a total of 282 as the UK remains in lockdown this weekend.

The rise in the county came as the UK death toll passed the 1,000 mark, with 1,228 deaths now confirmed.

Sadly, 209 patients lost their lives since yesterday as the public has been urged to stay at home.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is self-isolating after testing positive for the virus on Friday, (March 27), along with Health Secretary Matt Hancock, will be sending a letter to every UK household later this week.

In it, the PM will say things will 'only get worse before they get better' in a bleak reminder to the public that life will only begin to return to normal if people follow the rules.

How to support our NHS Heroes during the coronavirus pandemic

It is something that has, at some point, touched all our lives.

From cradle to grave, the National Health Service, and the incredible professionals within it who care for us, is a part of British life.

Today, more than ever, we should cherish those who dedicate themselves to our care, heedless of own health as they work tirelessly to care for people in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Nurses and others - employed by the NHS and any other part of health and care - we have never needed them more.

So let’s show them some love, and create a living map of gratitude from every corner of Britain - visit www.thanksamillionnhs.co.uk to drop a heart on the map wherever you are in the world.

By dropping a heart on the map, you’re saying you appreciate the efforts undertaken daily in the NHS.

Thanks a million, NHS workers - we love you

He added that, if necessary, stricter measures can be put in place.

The letters will be sent to around 30m households at an estimated cost cost of £5.8m.

You must stay at home unless you need to:

Shop for essential items such as food and medicines, but all other shops have closed including bars, restaurants and clubs

Provide care and support for the elderly or more vulnerable people

Exercise once a day outside your home, such as going for a run, walk or a bike ride

Travel to and from key jobs if 'absolutely necessary' and if it's impossible for you to work from home

We'll be updating our website every day to cover the good and positive stories from communities across Herts right now. Please remember to visit thanksamillionnhs.co.uk to show the amazing NHS how much we all appreciate their hard work.

Key Events

Back with more later

That’s all for our coverage tonight, however we’ll be back early with more coronavirus updates to give you the latest up-to-date information.

23:38

More than 2,400 deaths in US

The US has had more than 137,000 Covid-19 cases reported by late Sunday afternoon, with more than 2,400 deaths.

President Trump’s decision to extend the guidelines reflected a recognition that the struggle will take place a longer time period.

The federal guidelines recommend against large group gatherings and urge older people and anyone with existing health problems to stay at home.

People are urged to work at home when possible and avoid restaurants, bars, non-essential travel and shopping trips.

The extension would leave the federal recommendations in place beyond Easter on April 12, by which time Mr Trump had hoped the country and its economy could start to revive.

Alarmed public health officials said Easter was sure to be too soon.

23:07

Watch: Coronavirus in numbers

22:38

Deserted A12

21:49

Reports of BT internet down

There are reports this evening of BT internet going down - interrupting all those Netflix binges!

21:16

Former NHS staff to return

Boris Johnson has said 20,000 former NHS staff have returned to the service to help in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak, in a video as he self-isolates with the disease.

“Thank you to everybody who’s now coming back into the NHS in such huge numbers,” the Prime Minister said.

“Just this evening I can tell you we have 20,000 NHS staff coming back to the colours.

“It’s a most amazing thing. And that’s in addition to the 750,000 members of the public who have volunteered to help us get through this crisis.”

20:23

Rule-breakers stopped by police across UK

Police have apprehended alleged coronavirus rulebreakers across the country this weekend, the first since the lockdown measures came into force.

Members of the public have been found holding house parties and on cross-country road trips by officers in various parts of the UK and Ireland.

One motorist was stopped on the motorway with his wife in the boot of his car, having made a 224-mile round trip to collect a £15 eBay purchase, despite people only being told to make “essential” journeys.

In Derbyshire, police posted pictures from the 25-person karaoke party they went to break up.

Officers were said to be “in absolute shock” about the gathering in Dover Street, Normanton, at 10pm on Saturday.

South Wales Police urged Labour MP Stephen Kinnock, who represents Aberavon, to comply with restrictions after he had a “socially distanced celebration” to mark his father’s 78th birthday.

In Cork, Ireland, a 19-year-old man has been charged after allegedly spitting in the face of a Garda member and claiming he had coronavirus. He was due to appear at a special sitting of Anglesea Street District Court on Sunday afternoon.

In Bath, a 42-year-old woman was charged with two counts of assaulting an emergency worker - one relating to an officer being spat at - just after 7.30pm on Saturday.

19:53

Matt Hancock says PM letter is 'vital' reading

Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who is currently self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19, described the Prime Minister’s letter to households as “vital reading” in a tweet.

In a video posted on Twitter, he said: “It’s worth reading the letter that the Prime Minister has written to you and every household in full.

“It’s a really clear explanation of why we’ve had to take the steps that we have.

“The best thing to do of course is to stay at home unless there’s very good reason not to.

“And also some of the things that we’re doing to support people to make sure that everybody gets through this as well as possible.

“We know that it’s a really tough time and I hope that this letter explains really clearly what the plan is so that we can all play our part in helping the country get through this as fast as possible.”

18:58

Millions of PPE items to be delivered

Millions of face masks, gloves and aprons are being delivered to frontline healthcare workers in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government has announced.

Robert Jenrick told a Downing Street briefing on Sunday that masses of personal protective equipment (PPE) were being delivered to NHS staff - including 170 million masks.

The announcement follows concerns raised by medical professionals about a lack of protective equipment in NHS hospitals amid global shortages.

Mr Jenrick said: “We simply cannot and should not ask people to be on the frontline without the right protective equipment.

“We have a clear plan to ensure that those serving this country as this time have the right equipment.”

17:48

17:27

Chris Whitty: 'Save lives, stay at home'

Chris Whitty has given a new and vital message to the public, ordering them ‘to save lives, stay at home’.

17:05

UK now on 'emergency footing'

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick says the UK is ‘now on an emergency footing’.

His comment comes as the UK death toll passed the 1,000 mark this weekend.

16:39KEY EVENT

Cases in Herts rise to 282

here are now 282 positive cases of coronavirus in Hertfordshire, new government figures show.

The number of positive cases in the county has risen by 20 over the past 24 hours.

It comes as the UK nears closer to the end of its first weekend of lockdown following Boris Johnson’s strict measures, with people told to stay inside in order to save lives.

Patient with suspected coronavirus urges Brits not to panic buy

Delia Colwill, who is currently in hospital with suspected COVID-19, urges the public not to panic buy.

She also tells people they must stay at home in the video below.

12:40

David Lloyd in talks to turn gyms into hospitals

David Lloyd health clubs could be turned into emergency hospitals in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

According to ITV News, the chain is in talks with the Government about converting a “handful” of its largest gyms into emergency medical facilities in an attempt to prevent the NHS becoming overwhelmed during the pandemic.

The clubs are not currently in use as Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered leisure centres and gyms to shut their doors during the lockdown.